Countless studies have found that productivity shoots up when plants are added to the office environment. But they also positively impact your employee’s morale and general wellbeing. And since plants are often quite inexpensive, this can be an amazing investment for any office fit-out, no matter how many employees there are.
In this article we have gathered some of the best types of office plants to help facilitate a more effective team, and we will explain the various benefits as well as things to keep in mind when choosing which plants to purchase.
Below we have divided this list into four different categories of plants, making it easy for you to choose according to what your employees and your office needs the most. Remember to always check that the plants on our list are suitable for your climate however, as some might be more delicate than others.
Plants for better air quality and indoor climate
If you feel like the air in the office sometimes is a bit stale, and opening up a few windows is not really doing much, then investing in some greenery can be a good investment.
Even just a few plants scattered about the office strategically can make a huge difference for the indoor climate, and every plant will of course have the added benefit of boosting morale, increasing productivity and employee comfort.
Here are some of the best plants to help clean the air and regulate the indoor climate:
- Aloe vera
- Chlorophytum elatum
- Dracaena deremensis
- Ficus benjamina
- Hedera
- Monstera deliciosa
- Nephrolepis
- Sansevieria trifasciata
- Schefflera arboricola
- Scindapsus aureus
- Spathiphyllum
- Syngonium podophyllum
These plants not only produce fresh oxygen, they also clean the air for pollutants and chemicals. Aloe Vera for instance is known for its capabilities of absorbing chemical particles floating around in the air.
We recommend you choose plants with many sets of leaves, as this will speed up the process, and ensure the best possible indoor climate.
Plants that lower radiation
With the many types of wireless signals, electronic pulses and other forms of radiation in the modern workplace, it is an excellent idea to make use of plants that help reduce and absorb some of this radiation.
- Aloe vera
- Asparges setaceus
- Cacti
- Chlorophytumcomosum
- Dypsis lutescens
- Echeveria lotus
- Ficus lyrata
- Helianthus annuus
- Piper betle
- Sansevieria
Aloe vera plants and Cacti are famously excellent at this, while also being incredibly easy to maintain. And most types of aloe vera and cactus plants also have a very long lifespan, making these plants perfect investments.
If you are looking for a bit more visually speaking, some of the other plants on this list might be better suited, but all of the above plants are known for their ability to absorb EMF radiation from computers and similar electronic devices.
Plants that lower noise pollution
Our modern offices can be quite noisy at times. From the clicking and clacking of numerous keyboards to the creaking of an office chair, to the multitude of employees talking with each other, or online conference calls, not to mention the various delivery trucks and noise from neighbors and nearby roads.
Investing in plants that help absorb sound can be an effective and cheap way to combat too much noise in the office, and help retain your employees, increase productivity and overall make the office feel more welcoming and inspiring.
Below are some of our selected options for the best plants to suit this purpose:
- Aglaonemas
- Cladonia stellaris
- Dracaenas
- Ficus lyrata
- Monstera Deliciosa
- Rhapis excelsa
- Sansevierias
- Schefflera amate
- Strelitzia nicolai
- Zamioculcas zamiifolia
For larger offices, or businesses with larger budgets in general, entire living walls can be excellent additions as well, either filled with actual plants, or even moss walls. These will not only be effective at reducing the noise, but also help freshen up the air quality, not to mention act as excellent conversation starters for any potential customers visiting the office.
Final thoughts
The above plants are suited for indoor use, but some offices also have the option of planting right outside their windows. Here we would recommend larger trees that can provide plenty of shade during the sunny days, as well as provide some privacy from the outside world, and help reduce noise from traffic.
No matter which plants you choose, studies have shown employees will react positively towards more greenery, meaning you can expect to see higher levels of productivity, improved moods, and an overall nicer atmosphere in the office.
So whether you plan to water and maintain the plants internally, or whether you are going to hire a professional company to replace any dead plants along the way, this is a guaranteed way to reach your next level of productivity!
